Lesley Avril Appleba, 78, passed away peacefully of natural causes in her home in Livermore, California, on February 3, 2026, surrounded by her family and wrapped in love.

Born in the United Kingdom to Sydney and Ivy Pearce, Lesley moved to the United States at just 18 years old, beginning a life marked by courage, independence, and resilience. She built a family and a home filled with strong opinions, deep loyalty, and an unmistakable love that never wavered.

Lesley was a loving and strong-minded woman who cared deeply for her family. She found joy in sewing and knitting, creating with patience and care. Nothing brought her more pride than her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she felt incredibly fortunate to witness so much of their lives.

She was married to Jasper Fortenberry for 16 years and later to Paul Haskell, whom she married in 1981 and shared 13 years with. In 2002, she married Fred Appleba, and though their time together was brief, she loved him deeply until his passing in 2003.

Lesley is survived by her children: Jody (Janet), Becci, Jason, and Bobby (Nikki); her nine grandchildren: Shawnie (Rusty), April (Sean), Sydnee, Shaunie, Heather (Katie), Alex, Vinny, Jonas, and Sommer; and her nine great-grandchildren: Addison, Charlie, Bryson, Jacob, Haze-Lee, Zoey, Aidan, Ollie, and Bellehme. She is also survived by her sister, Patricia, and her nieces, Deb and Jen.

Above all else, Lesley will be remembered as a cherished grandmother and great-grandmother whose love was constant, whose presence was strong, and whose legacy lives on through the many lives she shaped.

A private family gathering will be held at Pacific Beach in San Diego on May 3, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., where her ashes will be spread in the ocean, honoring her wishes and celebrating a life deeply loved and beautifully lived.